Risk and variability

Predict, mitigate and harness

Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and storms make farming an increasingly risky activity. Such shocks can not only destroy crops and cause epidemic disease, but also result in loss of housing, animals and income, and they are making farming an increasingly risky activity. In 2011 extreme weather resulted in an estimated US $200 billion of damage. WLE is developing a range of information products and services, technologies and institutional solutions that help to reduce risk and mitigate impacts of weather extremes.

IWMI scientists have developed a map and inventory that shows the presently known transboundary aquifers in Africa. The map includes 80 aquifers and aquifer systems superimposed on 63 international river basins.

IWMI used an integrated management support tool called GRiMMS to assess and map the groundwater drought risk in the Southern Africa region. Groundwater drought risk refers to diminished groundwater access and availability.